elected official

USAGE SUMMARY

"elected official" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to someone who has been chosen by a vote to hold a position of authority or responsibility in government. Example: The newly elected officials took their oath of office and began their term with a speech outlining their goals for the community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"An elected official used the power of his position to order the assassination of another elected official".

The New York Times

"He's not an elected official.

The New York Times

CQ: To be an elected official?

The New York Times

She's not the elected official.

The New York Times

No elected official was harmed.

The New York Times

As an elected official, Davis cannot simply be sacked.

Independent

No statewide elected official joined the governor on Saturday.

The New York Times

Most people don't begrudge an elected official down time.

The New York Times

The governor is the only statewide elected official.

The Economist

"Marry an elected official," he said, evoking laughter.

The New York Times

But, primarily, she's never seen herself as an elected official".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific "elected official", be sure to include their title (e.g., Senator, Governor) for clarity.

Common error

Don't use "elected official" when referring to someone who was appointed to a position, such as a judge or a cabinet member. The key difference is the method of selection: voting versus selection by another official.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elected official" functions as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and categorize individuals who have attained a position of power or authority through a democratic election process. Ludwig shows various examples of this phrase used to describe individuals in governmental or political roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "elected official" accurately identifies individuals who hold positions via popular vote. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, notably within news and media. When using this phrase, clarity and precision are key to avoid confusion with appointed roles. Related terms such as "public servant" or "legislator" offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context. Overall, "elected official" is a common phrase and therefore the need for linguistic caution is reduced to typical recommendations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Representative of the people

Emphasizes the representative role; applicable to elected positions.

Public servant

Broader term encompassing any official serving the public, not necessarily elected.

Government representative

General term referring to someone representing the government, may or may not be elected.

Legislator

Specifically for members of a legislative body.

Officeholder

Someone who holds a public office, appointed or elected.

Politician

More general; any person involved in politics, elected or not.

Member of parliament

Specifically for parliamentary systems.

Council member

Refers to a member of a local council.

Civil servant

Emphasizes the administrative role in implementing government policies.

Appointed official

Direct opposite, someone selected rather than elected.

FAQs

How to use "elected official" in a sentence?

You can use "elected official" to describe someone who holds a position through an election, as in "The newly elected officials took their oaths of office".

What can I say instead of "elected official"?

You can use alternatives like "public servant", "government representative", or "legislator" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "elected official" or "appointed official"?

"Elected official" refers to someone chosen by voters, while "appointed official" refers to someone selected by an authority. The correct term depends on how the person obtained their position.

What's the difference between "elected official" and "politician"?

"Elected official" specifies that the person holds office through an election. "Politician" is a broader term that can include people involved in politics who may not hold an elected office.